Ski-climber



May l5, 1945.l A'. H. PAPE 2,375,943

` SKI-CLIMBER Filed Dec. l, 1942 Patented May 15, 1945 SKI-CLIMBER August H. Pape, Kentfeld, Calif., assigner of onehalf to Edward Kendal, San Francisco, Calif.

Application December 1, 1942, Serial No. 467,543

6 Claims. (Cl. 280-1L13) My invention relates to skis and more particularly pertains to an attachment therefor known as ski-climbers, by means of which a skier may easily climb slopes or hills with a straightahead walking action.

An object of my invention is to provide skiclimbers which are securely locked on the skis in out-of-the-way position when not in use, and subject to a quick and easy shifting into climbing Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a ski equipped with a climber embodying my invention, with the blade in climbing position;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the climber when the blade is mounted in out-oi-the-way position;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation position in which they are locked and held on showing a detail-of the climber when the blade the skis, the shifting of the climbers from climis mounted in out-of-the-Way position; ing position into and the looking thereof in out- Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view on the line 5 5 oi-the-way position being as readilyand easily of Fig. 3; effected. Fig. 6 is a top plan View ofthe climber when Another object of my invention is to provide a the blade is in out-of-the-way position; ski-climber of the character described in which Fig. 7 is a fragmentary part top plan, part a Climbing blade and a ski-carried locking means sectional View of the climber when the lock is are especially constructed and arranged to fareleased with the blade in position shown in cilitate the mounting and locking of the blade in Fig. 6; the out-of-the-way or the climbing position with Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top plan Viewrshowing one hand while the skis are strapped 0n the the blade locked in climbing position; skier. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a complete ski show- A further object is to provide a ski-climber of ing the blade in climbing position thereon and the character described in which the climbing the relation thereof tothe foot. blade is of exceptionally light yet strong con- Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation of the struction and designed to embrace and be locked ski as shown in Fig. 9 with the blade in out-ofagainst opposite sides of the skis in both the the-way position. out-of-the-way and climbing positions, With the Referring to the drawing more specifically, I blade securely braced against movement in any designates a substantially rectangular climbing direction when in climbing position and held in blade which is somewhat curved at its ends and such manner that it is not likely to become bent, adapted to be mounted on a ski 2 in two positions, twisted or deranged. one of which as shown in Figs. 3 and 10 being the A Afurther object of my invention is to provide out-of-the-Way position on top of the ski, and a locking means ior securely holding the blade in the other the climbing position in which the out-of-the-way and climbing positions and which blade depends from and extends transversely may be locked and unlocked with one hand while across the underside of the ski as shown in the ski is strapped on the foot and when unlocked Figs. 1, 2, and 9. will so remain whereby the shifting of the blade Plate-like flanges or arms 3 are provided at from out-of-the-way to climbing position and Vice the ends of the blade l and extend beyond one versa may be easily eiected and the locking of longitudinal edge of the blade so that in the outthe blade then carried out with a single moveof-the-way position said arms will overlie the side ment. edges of the ski substantially parallel to said Another object oi my invention is to provide a edges, whereas in the climbing position of the ski-climber which is designed so that collections blade said arms will extend over said side edges oi snow and ice will not interfere with the 0p- 46 at right angles to their former position and pereration thereof and accumulations of snow and pendicular to the ski. In this manner the arms ice on the blade may be readily and easily dis- 3 embrace the side edges of the ski in both posilodged. tions of the blade to provide, as will be herein- With the foregoing objects in view, together after apparent, for a secure holding and lockwith such other objects and advantages as may ing of the blade in said tWo positions. subsequently appear the invention resides in the Brackets 4 and 5 are mounted on the upper parts and in the combination, construction and side of the ski and each generally includes a horiarrangement of parts hereinafter described `and zontal portion 6 lying upon the upper side of claimed, and illustrated by way of example in the the ski, and an upright ear portion 'l adapted to accompanying drawing, in which: lie against a side edge of the ski to project upwardly above the ski. Openings 8 for locking bolts 9 are provided in the upper ends of the ear portions 1. Ears I0 are struck upwardly at the inner ends of the horizontal portions 6. A holding plate II having T-shaped slots I2 in opposite ends is secured by means of screws I3 to the upper side of the ski with the ears I0 engaged in said T-slots to secure the brackets on the ski. Other screws I4 are inserted through the ear portions l of the brackets into the sides of the ski to hold the brackets in place together with the holding plate I I.

The bolts 9 are slidable in and between the ears 'l and I, said bolts having reduced `inner ends I5 defining shoulders I6 to engage the ears` I0 for limiting the inward or releasing movement of the bolts to position in which the outer ends thereof extend somewhat into the openings 8 as shown in Fig. 7. Stop pins I6 on the bolts limit the outward movement thereof.

The outer .ends of the arms 3 are reduced to dene tongues 3 having openings .IT therein adapted to register with the openings 8 in the `ears 1, so that the locking bolts vil may be exofthe arms .to position in which .the openings .8 l

and I1 register lwhen mountingthe blade inthe -outof-theway as well as the .climbing position. These means also provide for an effectively braced mounting and holding .of the blade in its two positions particularh7 so as yto evenly .disf tribute the strain and ystresses .set .up 'when the blade is in use, whereby all likelihood of twisting or bending, or derangement of .the blade and the locking means is eliminated. As here provided Vthe stop means include shoulders I8 on opposite sides of thetongues 3', which `shoulders are adapted Ato engage slotted .lian-ges .i9 formed on and projecting outwardly from the lower edges of the ears l. The tongues` 3 are extended through theslots 29 in the flanges lI9 when `the blade Ais mounted in climbing position .and the shoulders I8 will abut lower sides ofthe ilanges I9 as `shown in Fig. l. These shoulders and flanges limit the .tongues to position in which the `openings I'I therein register withthe openings 8in the ears 1. These stop shoulders also limit fthe blade to position in which `the .upper edge thereof is spaced from the lower side of the ski as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 whereby the skiing surface of the ski will not be damaged. The

-strainiis solely taken up by the shoulders AL8 and flanges I9 which thus insures asecure bracing and holding of the blade in climbing position.

Abutment plates -ZI are secured by means 'oi .the screws I 4 to the ears l at opposite endscf the slotted flanges l and rest on 4said iianges.

When the vblade is Vin out-of-the-way position as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, notches -22 in 'certain of the shoulders I8 receive Vtongues 23 formed -on plates 2'4 which lie lbetween 'certain of the abutment plates `2 I :as rsliowninFig. 4. This locks the arm 3 on the sides of the ski with the Yopenings I-1 thereinin registry with Ythe openings '8 in theear portions of the brackets whereby the locking Ibolts 9 may be 'extended tolock the blade vin `out-of-the-way position. The tongues 3 in this r-position o' .the blade lie between the .ears 'l and the plates 2I associated with the plates 24 as seen in Figs. 3 and 4.

As a means for operating the locking bolts 9. an inverted U-shaped spring 25 has its ends inserted through the bolts 9 so that the spring will urge the bolts into locking position. An operating plate 26 has openings 2l' in its ends slidably receiving the legs of the U-shaped spring. When the plate 26 is pushed inwardly it forces the ends of the spring toward one another and thereby retracts the bolts, this retraction movement being limited by the shoulders I6 engaging the inner ears I0 as seen in Fig, 7. 'Ihe plate ,Z6 4Will remain by friction in position to which it is moved on the spring 25.

When the ytongues 3 are in position to register the openings Il therein with the openings 8 in the brackets 4 and 5, the operator may pull the plate 26 outwardly, thereby releasing the spring 25 so that the bolts will be forced by the spring into the registering openings 8 and I1 to thereby lock the blade in place, this operation being `the .same when the-blade is in its out-of-the-way and climbing position respectively. l

A block 28 of wood or other suitable material is mounted on the ski as a rest for the blade when in .outoftheway position. This vblock also acts as a centering means .to facilitate the mounting of the blade in out-of-the-way position and is provided with a notch 29 `to receive the operating .plate 26 as shown in Fig. l.

On theportions lare inwardly struck-spurs 30 as shown in Figs. `2 and 5 whichbite into the side edges of the ski and assist in holding the brackets 4 and 5 in place.

rIt should be-noted that the blade, .that is, the

`ar-rns3 .are flared as shown in Fig. 2 so that snow Ypacked .in the blade may be readily and veasily lremoved.

With reference .to Figs. l, 9 and 10, it is seen that the climber of my invention may be conveniently mounted just rearward of the foot rest 3| on `the ski so that the skier may have ready access thereto. However, it could be mounted ,forwardly of the foot rest `if desired and in either case may loe-quickly and easily placed and locked f purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

fl. In a 'ski-climber, a climbing Vblade adapted to extend downwardly from and transversely across the Iunderside of a ski when in climbing position and to lie upon the upperside of the ski in out-"of-the-way position when not in use, arms on said blade adapted to overlie the side Vedges of the ski when -in 4out-oi-the-way and climbing positions, bracket 'means mounted on the ski, said vbracket means and arms having openings therein ladaptedto register with one an .other when the blade is in climbing and out-ofthe-way positions, stop members on the bracket Vmeans disposed on the sides Vof the ski. stop `shoulderson said arms adapted to engage vsaid stopmembersfor limiting the movement of said arms `relative to said bracket means to positions bringingsaid openings into registration with one another when the blade is being mounted in said out-of-the-way and climbing positions, locking bolts slidable on the ski into and out of said openings for locking the blade in both positions there of, and means for moving the bolts into and out of said openings to lock and release said blade.

2. In a ski-climber, a climbing blade adapted to extend downwardly from and transversely across the underside of a ski when in climbing position and to lie upon the upperside of the ski in out-of-the-way position when not in use, arms on said blade adapted to overlie the side edges of the ski when in out-of-the-way and climbing positions, bracket means fixed on the ski and overlying the sides of the ski, slotted flanges on said bracket means through the slots of which said arms extend when the blade is in climbing position, cooperating stop members on the flanges and said arms adapted to abut when the blade is in said two positions, and means for releasably locking said arms to said bracket means.

3. In a ski-climber, a climbing blade adapted to extend downwardly from and transversely across the underside of a ski when in climbing position and to lie upon the upperside of the ski in out-of-the-way position when not in use, arms on said blade adapted to overlie the side edges of the ski when in out-of-the-way and climbing positions, bracket means mounted on the ski, said bracket means and arms having openings therein adapted to register with one another when the blade is in climbing and out-of-the- Way positions, cooperating stop members on the bracket means -and said arms for limiting the movement of said arms relative to said bracket means to positions bringing said openings into registration with one another when the blade is being mounted in said out-of-the-way and climbing positions, locking bolts slidable on the ski into and out of said openings for locking the blade in both positions thereof, and means for moving the bolts into and out of said openings to lock and release said blade, including a spring having its ends attached to said bolts and normally urging said bolts into locking position, and an operating member slidable on said spring to contract and expand it for retracting and extending said bolts.

4. In a ski-climber, a climbing blade adapted to extend downwardly from and transversely across the underside of a ski when in climbing position and to lie upon the upperside of the ski in out-of-the-way position when not in use, arms on said blade adapted to overlie the side edges of the ski when in out-of-the-way and climbing positions, bracket means fixed on the ski and overlying the sides of the ski, slotted anges on said bracket means through the slots of which said arms extend when the blade is in climbing position, stop shoulders on said arms for engaging said anges when the blade is in said two positions, cooperating holding elements on said bracket means and arms arranged to interlock when the blade is in said out-of-the-way position, and means for releasably locking said arms to said bracket means.

5. In a ski-climber, a climbing blade adapted to extend downwardly from and transversely across the underside of a ski when in climbing position and to lie upon the upperside of the ski in out-of-the-way position when not in use, arms on said blade adapted to overlie the side edges of the ski when in out-of-the-way and climbing positions, bracket means mounted on the ski, said bracket means and arms having openings therein adapted to register with one another when the blade.is in climbing and out-of-the-way positions, cooperating stop members on the bracket means and said arms for limiting the movement of said arms relative to said bracket means to positions bringing said openings into registration with one another when the blade is being mounted in said out-of-the-way and climbing positions, locking bolts slidableon the ski into and out of said openings for locking the blade in both positions thereof, means for moving the bolts into and out of said openings to lock and release said blade, including a spring having its ends attached to said bolts and normally urging said bolts into locking position, an operating member slidable on said spring to contract and expand it for retracting and extending said bolts, and a block on the ski as a rest for the blade when in out-of-the-way position, said block having a notch therein to receive said operating member when the blade is locked in out-of-theway position.

6. In a ski-climber, a climbing blade adapted to extend downwardly from and transversely across the undersideof a ski when in climbing position and to lie upon the upperside of the ski in out-of-the-way position when not in use, arms on said blade adapted to overlie the side edges o f the ski when in out-of-the-way and cilmbing positions, brackets mounted on said ski and having apertured upstanding ears thereon, portions of said bracket overlying the side edges of the ski, slotted flanges on said portions of the brackets adapted to receive the arms in the slots therein, shoulders on the arms adapted to engage said anges when the arms are inserted through said slots, cooperating interlocking members on the arms and said brackets for holding the blade in out-of-the-way position, locking bolts slidably supported in said ears, said arms having openings therein to receive said bolts to lock the blade in out-of-the-way and climbing positions, and means for moving said bolts into and out of locking position.

AUGUST H. PAPE. 

